St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-03
AN EXPENSE 70 TIE COUNTY.
Ex.Treasurer Burton. on Retiring {,
Gives Out Some EHforma ton or
ReceIDt. of COunty Officials.

Ex-Treasurer Burton. on Retiring,
Gives Out Some Information OF
Receipt. of COumty Officials.
This morning CoAnty Treasurer W. E.
Burton will turn over to f. A. REM, the
treasurer-elect, the funds remaining in his
hands, amounting to S27. 642. so. The
funds are low at this time because, under
the present law, the tax list is not made
until the first Monday of January. and the
taX-paYing era commences at this time. Mr..
Burton has been connected with the office
since Jan. l, 1878, having been deputy
during Hon. II. NJ. RiceS term from 1878
to 1888 At Mr. Rice's resignation on
March l, 1885, Mr.. Burton was appointed
bv the board of county commissioners to
I'LL the unexpired term. In conversation
with a GLOBE reporter, Mr.. Burton Satur-
day last said some of the county offices are
now earning revenue to the county over
the expense of salaries, etc. The abstract
clerks Office turned fees into the county
treasury the past year amounting to Sl3.-
1856 Is, salaries and expenses paid by county
amounted to 81. 500, leaving net revenue
to county of SIS. S36.l5. The probate court
fees amounted in the past year to SO, 422. 40,
salary of judge of probate and clerks and
rent of the office amounted to Sc, 900. Civ
The county treasurer's Office has also
turned in interest earned on bank deposits
for the past year the sum of So, 092.1S
Thus the county receives from these three
offices enough to pay all the expenses of
salaries, ETC., belonging to them, and have
marg n of over S., 600 left to the credit
side of the ledger.
This is in marked contrast to the loss the
county incurs in the running of the register
of deeds office. The books and stationery
furnished this office cost more than all the
others combined the incidental expenses
are greater, yet under the present law the
income of the office, after paying all clerk
hire, amounting as it does to $50. 600 or
S25. 600 per annum, is diverted from the
treasury and the entire amount turned over
to the fortunate holder of the Office for the
performance of services for which So, 900
per annum would be an eXtravagant salary
The sheriff's office is also heavy burden
on the county. Fred Richter drew for him
self, deputies, turkeys, etc, the past year,
the very considerable sum of SIS, no 20.
Much of this is needless waste of the
public funds. Take, for instance, the
item of taking insane persons to
the asylum. Twenty-Five dollars are al
lowed for each person taken to st. Peter,
whether taken one at time or several to-
gether. The sum paid MI Richter the past
year on this account alone amounted to
So. OS5. For the same services the sheriff
of Hennepn county receives but SIS pei
patient taken to insane hospitals. Many
thousand dollars year would be saved tC
the taxpayers if the Chicago plan of collect
ing the special assessments for street grad
ing. paving, etc., were adopted. Under
that plan the special assessments are ex.
tended on the regular yearly tax list anc
must be paid with the general tax.
Besides the great saving to taxpayers the
system is one of great advantage to the
property owner, as under it, he has to looE
after but one tax yearly. He also run;
much less danger of loosing his property b,
sale for delinquent assessments. which hi
may overlook.